The Chief Executive Officer of Drekford Global Concept Limited, Daniel Oparinde, has urged the federal government to take decisive steps toward reforming Nigeria’s housing sector, warning that without urgent intervention, the country’s worsening housing deficit may persist for years to come.

Speaking in Abuja, Oparinde highlighted a series of obstacles that continue to hinder private developers from delivering affordable homes. Chief among these are bureaucratic bottlenecks, inconsistent policy direction, and spiraling inflation, all of which have compounded the difficulty of doing business in the real estate industry.

“The housing sector holds enormous potential for economic growth, job creation, and social stability,” he said. “However, without clear and consistent policies, timely land acquisition approvals, and access to funding, developers face significant challenges that limit the scale and speed of housing delivery.”

Nigeria’s housing deficit, estimated at over 20 million units, requires a coordinated approach between government regulators and private developers, he noted. According to him, the broader economic climate—particularly high inflation and unpredictable interest rates—has made it increasingly difficult for developers to make accurate financial projections or deliver housing units at scale.

“When inflation is properly controlled, prices go down, and developers are able to plan effectively,” he said. “But when inflation becomes unpredictable, as it currently is, it undermines confidence and disrupts the entire housing delivery chain.”

Oparinde also underscored the urgent need for government to introduce effective regulation on the pricing of building materials. Without such measures, both developers and prospective homeowners face mounting costs that make homeownership less attainable.

He further called on regulatory agencies to streamline the processes of land acquisition, reduce construction-related taxes and levies, and eliminate red tape that slows down project approvals. Such reforms, he said, would help drive down the cost of housing and enable the private sector to meet growing demand.

Addressing concerns over rising real estate scams in Nigeria, the Drekford chief advised prospective property buyers to conduct thorough due diligence. “Before you invest, examine the track record of the developer,” he warned.

While Drekford Global Concept continues to expand its footprint with residential projects across locations such as Mabushi, Gudu, Gwarinpa, Katampe, Dakibiu, and Lifecamp in Abuja, Oparinde maintains that a more conducive regulatory and economic environment is vital to sustaining growth in the sector.